Cassie Gee of Woodstock walks during the Big Shanty Festival in downtown Kennesaw last year. This year’s festival begins Saturday will transform the entire downtown area into a family friendly festival. Staff/file

Don’t just sit there. Go to the 38th annual Superior Plumbing Kennesaw/Big Shanty Festival on Saturday and Sunday. The downtown Kennesaw area will be transformed into a giant family friendly festival.

The festival features a variety of activities to entertain all ages, such as a trout fishing farm, Wildlife Wendy Bird Show, 250 arts and crafts vendors and festival food. There will be a parade on Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. to kick off the festival, starting at Adams Park and continuing along Main Street through downtown Kennesaw.

“The Big Shanty Festival is a hometown festival. It is the epitome of what a hometown festival is all about. We put on a big party where we celebrate our community, our schools, and the talents of our schools. We invite people in to see all the great things our community offers,” said Marlon Longacre, chair of the Big Shanty Festival since 2003.

The festival is a tradition in Kennesaw.

“So many generations of families and kids have grown up going to the festival. They have it on their calendar year after year,” Longacre said.

Longacre said last year Big Shanty Festival gave more than $62,000 back to the community.

“That’s why it’s so loved. God has blessed us, and that’s why we’ve been able to do so much,” he said.

About 70,000 people are expected to attend the festival.

“It’s the Daytona 500 of festivals. It’s Cobb County’s best festival. … Kennesaw is very proud of it,” Longacre said.

“Everybody comes. Everybody has a great time. Everybody looks forward to it each year,” Longacre said.

This event is co-sponsored by the City of Kennesaw and the Kennesaw Business Association. For more information, call (770) 423-1330 or visit kennesaw.com/big-shanty-festival.

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